Village council hears about potential gas pipeline

NORTH LEWISBURG – The village council listened to a presentation about a potential natural gas pipeline in the village Oct. 10.

Legacy Pipeline Services owner Bob Smith discussed how the company looks for rural communities lacking natural gas. When the company finds an area like North Lewisburg, Smith said, it contacts mayors and local councils to develop natural gas systems.

“We have town hall meetings to tell people what we do, that we can save them 20 to 50 percent on their energy cost depending on what they’re using and then we canvass the town and send out applications.” Smith said. “If we get enough applications so that the system would be economically viable, then we go ahead and build the system.”

After the system is built, Smith said, the system would be signed over to All American Energy Cooperative. For North Lewisburg Smith said a new name would be established as North Lewisburg Natural Gas Cooperative.

Once built, Legacy would run the system for the cooperative and Smith said people who use the system join as members of the cooperative.

Smith said the company wants to start canvassing North Lewisburg early next year, hold meetings and mail out applications in the spring or summer to have construction underway by the following year.

Throughout Ohio Smith said the company has eight systems.

No action was taken by council on a proposed ordinance Smith sent to Village Administrator Andy Yoder.

In other action:

•Yoder said leaf pickup will begin the week of Oct. 23 and will run through Nov. 30 weather permitting. He reminded residents this is for leaves only and not sticks, rocks or other yard waste.

•Yoder said hydrant flushing will take place the week of Oct. 16. Residents may experience discoloration and low pressure of water during this point in time.

•The village’s Beggar’s Night or Trick-or-Treat will be held Oct. 31 between 6 and 8 p.m.

•Mechanicsburg Police Capt. Scott Bodey said since the Sept. 12 council meeting, there were 40 reports completed, 67 total traffic stops with 30 citations and 37 warnings. He added a felony indictment from September turned into a conviction.

•Champaign County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lydia Hess spoke about some upcoming events the chamber will hold and other initiatives they are working on.

•The Champaign County Health District will hold a scrap tire collection at the county fairgrounds Oct. 28 between 9 a.m. and noon.

By Nick Walton

nwalton@aimmediamidwest.com

Nick Walton can be reached at 937-652-1331 Ext. 1777 or on Twitter @UDCWalton.